About Us
Old North Illuminated is a secular, independent nonprofit that educates and inspires diverse audiences through its work interpreting and preserving Boston’s Old North Church & Historic Site. As the nation marks a series of 250th anniversaries related to the American Revolution over the coming years, we take pride in stewarding this iconic landmark and look forward to engaging visitors with new, award-winning interpretive programming.
Established in 1991 as the Old North Foundation, Old North Illuminated shines an analytical light on the past in an effort to build a brighter future. Just as two patriots hung lanterns in our steeple on the night of April 18, 1775, as a signal to spark action, we seek to ignite active citizenship by engaging visitors and classrooms in the rich history of the Old North Church.
Old North’s 300-year history illuminates shifts and arcs in American society that reveal an essential ingredient in the work of building a more perfect union: courageous and compassionate leadership. Learn more in our most recent Annual Report.
The work of Old North Illuminated falls into four interwoven program areas:
Interpretation
Hundreds of thousands of visitors seek out Old North Church annually as a tangible symbol of freedom and revolution. In 2025 and 2026, ONI will mark the 250th anniversaries of the lantern signal and the Declaration of Independence with interactive visitor experiences that take visitors beyond the simplified “Patriots and Loyalists” narrative. Colonists interpreted events and pressures through the lenses of their own experience and priorities, just as people do today. By exploring both the nuances of this complicated history and the big questions that help define values, we hope to encourage thoughtful consideration of differing perspectives.
A selection from our new interpretive plan is available online. This document is copyrighted and proprietary. The full plan is available to museum professionals upon request.
Education
Education is at the heart of what we do. We believe that the relevance of the American Revolution today requires a critical lens and honest dialogue about the nation’s founding ideals and the ongoing struggle to realize those ideals. There is much to be proud of as we celebrate the past 250 years and yet, implicit in the celebration of the past is the promise of the future. Each generation has the opportunity to participate in the ongoing work of the American Revolution as we celebrate its successes and recommit ourselves to its ideals. We support educators by developing curricula that take a fresh look at the past and encourage learners to identify themselves as active citizens who are gaining the wisdom, confidence, and motivation to participate in their communities.
Preservation
In a world that can feel increasingly virtual, being able to sit in our unique box pews or see the steeple where the famous signal lanterns hung 250 years ago is to make a powerful connection to the past. But historic buildings don’t survive on their own. We are an independent, secular nonprofit working in collaboration with the National Park Service, the congregation of Old North Church, and other partners to preserve and protect this iconic landmark and its campus. Learn more about preservation at Old North.
Inclusion
By expanding the lens of history, we can tell a more honest story of the United States and connect with wider audiences. Who benefited from the Revolution and who was left out? How was Old North Church connected to slavery and colonialism? When we are committed to fully exploring the past, we embrace challenging questions that help us understand our nation’s enduring efforts to achieve its founding ideals.